PMB Ballot

On Thursday we’ll find out the results of the Private Members’ Bills Ballot.

20 lucky backbenchers will get their names pulled out of a hat, which means they get priority listing for debate on a Friday. I say ‘names’ – actually there’s a book, with numbers listed chronologically, and MPs get to choose what number they put their name against. Interesting to see which MPs just go for the sensible next number available on the list option, and how many choose their ‘lucky’ numbers.

It’s all entirely random as to which numbers are selected. I’m hoping to be successful in the ballot so I can resurrect my Food Waste Bill, but with 300 or so members entering the ballot, the chances are pretty slim. My next option would be to try to persuade one of the twenty, or better, one of the top ten, to take it up instead, but there will be loads of charities, campaigns, lobbyists, etc trying to get them to consider other options. I know when one of my colleagues, Sharon Hodgson, topped the ballot in her first year in parliament, the office fax machine went into overdrive. Great feeling of achievement though, to get legislation on kids with special educational needs through in your first year of being elected; which she did.